Ribbon-holder



(No Model.)

J. G. ABBOTT. RIBBON HOLDER.

No. 470,775. Patented Mar. 15, 1892.

NTTE STATES JAMES C. ABBOTT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

RIBBON-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming pait of Letters Patent NO. 470,775, dated March 15, 1892.

Application filed June 3, 1891. Serial No. 394,982. (No model.)

To to whom it mag) concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES C. ABBOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbon-Holders. of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in ribbon-holders.

The object of my improvements is to provide a device adaptedto inclose two or more layers of a roll of ribbon, to secure the ribbon in its rolled-up condition, and to slide along said layers as the free end of the ribbon is drawn out; and with this object in View my improvements have reference to a spring-clip forsaid layers, to a loop for said clip to be engaged by the finger, to an interlocked form of loop adapted to open said clip, and to other points of detail hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like ref erence-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a roll of ribbon with my device mounted thereon; Fig. 2, a detached view of the preferred form of my device; Fig. 8, a similar view with the loop opened; Fig. 4-, a modification of' my device, and Fig. 5 a View illustrating the use of my device.

In the ordinary means for fastening a roll of ribbon with an interposed ribbon-paper to separate the layers of ribbon the free end of the ribbon is secured to the roll generally by means of a pin inserted therein. This method of fastening the free end is troublesome in many ways, as it requires time to insert and withdraw the pin, which is also liable to mar the texture of the ribbon by puncturing the same and by careless insertion of the pin, while in the hurry of serving a customer the winding up of each roll immediately after use is neglected. The roll is thus liable to unwind considerably, necessitating extra time to rewind the same.

By my device I overcome the above-mentioned objections, since, as will be hereinafter described, the ribbon is always secured from unwinding and may be carelessly handled without such danger.

Another advantage is that my device facilitates the unwinding and measuring off of the ribbon from the roll.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates the ribbon wound into a roll, together with its interposed ribbon-paper B.

The letter O designates a cross bar of spring-wire or other suitable material, having turned-over portions D D, preferably adapted to press upon the ribbon interposed between the bar 0 and the portions D, whereby a clip is formed. The bar O is curved upward at the center toward its opposing clip portions D, whereby when the device is applied to the roll of ribbon and two or more layers of said roll are inclosed between said clip the portions D D and middle of the bar C will oppositely bear upon the center of the ribbon. As shown inFig. 4, the ends of the portions D may be turned up slightly or otherwise formed to avoid abrading the ribbon as it slips along by the same.

The free end of the ribbon and the ribbonpaper is passed through the device two or more times, whereby two or more layers are interposed and engaged, as shown in Fig. 1. The free end is therefore pressed down upon the succeeding layer or layers by the portions D, before mentioned, yet may be readily drawn out from the roll, since the bar 0 will slip along between the layers toward the cen ter of the roll until the last of the roll is reached. There is thus no connection between the core or center of the roll and the holding device, and therefore the device works equally well at each succeeding portion of the roll.

In order to facilitate the delivery of the ribbon from the roll, the preferred form of clip is provided with a loop or projection adapted to be engaged by the finger of the clerk,whereby the pressure of the clipping portions is relieved. This loop may be in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, consisting of curved or circular portions F, adapted to be joined or engaged at their ends with one another, as shown at G, or otherwise. WVhen the clerk inserts his index-finger within the loop, the thumb and middle finger are directly over the outer ends of the portions D D, and, bearing down thereon, they resist the upward action of the index-finger within the loop, by which action the space between the clipping portions D and the bar C is increased, allowing the ribbon to be freely drawn out from between the same by a pull of the other hand on the free end thereof. It will be seen from Fig. 3 that when the ends of the loop are disengaged the opening of the clip is also increased, thereby allowing of readily inserting the end of the ribbon and paper between the same in mounting the device upon the roll. I-ly engaging the ends of the loop the poriions D are brought down upon and clip the interposed layers of ribbon and paper, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Any convenient form of loop or projection may be employed; but the preferred form is that illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3. The width of the clipping portion and length of the bar 0 is preferably but slightly more than the width of the roll, whereby the clip maintains its normally-transverse position on the roll.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner of measuring off the length of ribbon by the-use of my device, from which it will be seen that the roll is supported by the preferred form of device upon the index-finger, the ribbon being held between the middle and index fingers as it is drawn out by the other hand. The exact length required may thus be easily measured off and held while being out. The finger is then slipped out of the loop and the roll laid aside until next required withou t any thought or trouble on the part of the clerk to secure the free end of the roll. The saving of time and labor is apparent.

It will be noted that my device is slidingly mounted on two or more layers of the roll and is wholly unconnected with the center of the roll; also, that the device assists the clerk in measuring the required length of ribbon by its convenient support and only the length measured need be unwound. In case,

however, the length is drawn out without cutting off the same may be readily rewound by slipping the devieeoutward toward the free end, the pressure of the clip on the ribbon causing the same to be wound up tightly and smoothly.

I wish to be understood as laying claim, broadly, to the clipping device mounted on two or more layers of the roll; also, to the loop or projection F, adapted to diminish the clipping action and facilitate drawing out the ribbon. Itis evident that the holding device may be applied to any roll of suitable material-such as to a roll of ribbon-without the interposed ribbon-paper. Since the ribbonrolls come in various widths, the above-described device may be made in different sizes accordingly.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an improved article of manufacture, a ribbon-holder of spring material, consisting of a crossbar, return-bends opposing said crossbar with a spring action, and thus forminga spring clip therewith, a loop carried by said clip and having interlocking ends adapted to be separated, and thereby diminish the clipping action, the said loop also allowing of the insertion of the finger to support and operate the device, whereby the ribbon-holder may be adjustably mounted upon the layers of interposed ribbon, the spring action thereon -may be varied, and the roll separated from the finger, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES C. ABBOTT. lVitn esses:

OLIVER II. MILLER, II. M. PLATS'IED. 

